DISCLAIMER - I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters
"Hello?" Aoshi said as he picked up his mobile, still on the ice, skating idly as he waited for news, "Ah, Megumi. How's Yumi's ankle?" he asked as he skidded to a stop, one hand in the pocket of his black tracksuit bottoms, his brow furrowing as Megumi gave him the verdict, "Never again? I didn't realise she hurt it so badly." He said, feeling a little numb as he remembered how they had been training as always, and how she had missed a step, catching her blade in the ice and falling, twisting the ankle until there was a crack and she screamed. He hadn't thought it was so bad, he thought she had broken a bone or two and would be healed up in no time, but to hear that she would never skate again was quite a blow, she was the best skater he knew, besides himself of course, and there was a competition coming up, he'd never find another partner in time. "I'll need a new partner…we'd better get on it…oh, send my condolences." He added as an afterthought as he hung up and skated to the exit, climbing onto the platform and sitting on one of the benches,
"Shinomori-san, leaving so soon?" an old man's voice asked. Aoshi turned as he pulled off his skates to see an old man dressed in a red janitor's suit leaning on his mop a couple rows behind. Aoshi gave the man a small smile as he got to his feet, the laces of his boots tied together and slung over his shoulder, one boot resting on his ribs, the other on his shoulder blade.
"Hai, I need to see my manager and find a new partner." He replied as he made his way up to the locker area, where he unlocked one of the small metal doors and pulled out his trainers, shoving his boots in to take their place. The old man joined him as he returned to the bench,
"What happened to that long haired girl you were with up until now?" he asked as he sat down slowly as Aoshi pulled his trainers on quickly and tied the laces, not really wanting to leave, but since he no longer had a partner he needed to meet Megumi and have her people start searching as soon as possible.
"She had a fall this morning and went to the hospital, she'll never skate again." He replied as he got to his feet, the old man sighing and shaking his head pityingly,
"That's a great shame, a great shame, she was a good skater, and I've seen some in my time." He said, slowly getting to his feet and taking his mop from where he had left it leaning against the wall, "Well, I wish you luck…I fear you'll need it." He added as Aoshi headed to the door, waving over his shoulder as he went.
